AT&T seems to be in a giving mood
-- the company is offering its "most valuable customers"
free 3G MicroCells. For those unfamiliar with the MicroCell,
it's a device that will boost AT&T cellular reception in "dead
zones" by tapping into your home's broadband connection.

Over the weekend, reports from Engadget
and Gizmodo
explained that customers were starting to receive notices in the mail
saying that they qualified for the free MicroCells. Today, I found
one of the letters in my mailbox.

I nearly ripped the letter up and threw
it in the trash, as I was expecting it to be typical AT&T spam
mail about their home phone service or free after rebate mobile
phones. To my surprise, it was the free MicroCell offer that has been
making the rounds this weekend.

Considering I've only had AT&T
service for just over a year, I was surprised at being considered an
MVP. I've also never called AT&T to voice concerns over
receptions
issues in my area because I never had any until picking up an
iPhone 4.

I'll be stopping by the AT&T store
tomorrow morning to get my unit and will update this article to note
whether the MicroCell cures the "Death Grip" phenomena that
has stricken
my iPhone 4.

Updated 7/14/2010 @ 8:11 am

Just a small update to my story. I was finally able to snag a 3G MicroCell from an AT&T store in my area after numerous calls. After getting the device home, it took about 30 minutes for it to complete its initial setup.

With the 3G MicroCell active, I now get 5 bars anywhere in my house and performing the death grip on the iPhone 4 results in no dropped bars at all. It allows me to make calls with the death grip and incoming calls no longer go to voicemail when holding it firmly in my left hand.

The 3G MicroCell at least solves the issues I'm having at home, but it still doesn't begin to address the reception issues I face out around town.

"There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance." -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer